ML20141F903
| ML20141F903 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/26/1997 |
| From: | Diaz N NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Hoyle J NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20141F826 | List: |
| References | |
| SECY-97-124-C, NUDOCS 9707030214 | |
| Download: ML20141F903 (2) | |
Text
.
N OT ATIO N VOTE RESPONSE SHEET
)
TO:
John C. Hoyle, Secretary FROM:
COMMISSIONER DIAZ
SUBJECT:
SECY-97-124 - PROPOSED FEDERAL POLICY REGARDING USE OF POTASSIUM IODIDE AFTER A SEVERE ACCIDENT AT A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT Approved Disapproved Abstain Not Participating Request Discussion COMMENTS:
Approve-option 3C.
See attached comments.
Ji SIGNATU
/
Release Vote / V/
C ~ 1 Ia-9 7 DATE Withhold Vote /
/
l Entered on "AS" Yes /
No ETF n" e En o J
~
CORRESPONDEMCE PDR
Comments sf Commissioner Nils J. Diaz:
I believe aat the availability and potential use of KI is a radiological health protection issue, therefore, the NRC should rule on the best manner to stockpile and distribute it.
I I approve Option 3 (c).
Option 3(c) builds on the staff position SECY-97-087 that the Federal Government's policy should be to encourage states to stockpile K1 on grounds of prudence, to purchase the drug for those states desiring it, and, based on the Chemobyl information, directs the staff to require K1 as a protective measure for the general public. Several factors support Option 3 (c): (1) the inclusion of KI in the stockpile of medicines for NBC events makes clear that responsible Federal authorities believe that its value outweighs its detriments in pertinent radiological accidents; (2) the cost is extremely low; and (3) the cost-benefit analysis indicates that the ratio of costs to benefits is quite close, especially for populations within a 5-mile radius of nuclear plants. Taken together, these and other factors persuade me that requiring stockpiling KI as a protective measure for the general public represents value-added to the American people.
(Whether initiation of this rulemaking satisfies the petition by Mr. Peter Crane--- rendering it moot---I will leave to the staff and petitioner to analyze.)
On the specific issue of stockpiling and distribution, I oppose predistribution of KI to the level of individual households. I believe that effective stockpiling and distribution can be conducted on as-needed basis from well located centers. Pre-distribution is an expensive and complex method with much uncertainty about its use when needed.
Further, I believe that it would clear the air, and be helpful to the American public, if after soliciting public comments on the proposed rule, the Commission held a public meeting at which FEMA, the staff, Mr. Peter Crane, state regulators, industry representatives, medical authorities, and other interested commenters and organizations could be heard and could answer the Commissioners' questions. In preparation for this meeting, it would be helpful for the Commission to have a full chronology of the staff's handling of this issue, including the positions taken by the staff, before the FRPCC and elsewhere, since SECY-94-047 was sent to the Commission in 1994.
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